If you’re learning a new language, you’ve probably explored the Duolingo app. Seeing as it’s one of the biggest language learning apps, it has over 95 languages with more than 500 million users . And although it takes a gamified approach with daily reminders, Duolingo lessons are known to get repetitive. Asides from it getting boring over time, you learn phrases and words that aren’t exactly relevant in your day-to-day.

So if you’ve been looking for a Duolingo alternative that focuses on learning actual phrases, you’re in luck. This article will share seven free Duolingo alternatives along with some of their key features. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Memrise

If you love the gamified lessons on Duolingo, then this free app is a great alternative to start with. Memrise uses flashcards and immersive content to teach language vocabulary lessons. One unique feature is that these courses have audio and video clips of locals so you can learn how to speak like a native. This might be because you’d have to train as an undercover agent learning a language.

This dramatic concept helps you pick on mannerisms and nuances in the language. So because you’d practice a lot of listening and speaking, you’d also get to build your language comprehension skills. Memrise has over 100 languages available to choose from. It’s available for free with limited features.

Key features:

  • Real-life audio and video from native speakers
  • Flashcard-based and gamified lessons
  • Over 100 languages supported

2. Mondly

Want to be an all-rounder in speaking, writing, listening, and reading? Then Mondly is your go-to alternative. It is an advanced learning app that uses voice recognition to ensure that you get words right. The unique feature of this language learning app is that you have small bite-sized lessons for as short as 10 minutes every day. Since most of the lessons are interactive and conversational, you can immediately pick up speaking in a foreign language.

Unlike Duolingo, there’s a keen focus on ensuring that you get pronunciations right. That’s why on Mondly, you have access to recordings of native speakers so you know how each word is pronounced. This app currently supports about 33 languages and although it has a free version, the premium plan is cheaper than Duolingo.

Why Mondly stands out:

  • Voice recognition for pronunciation feedback
  • Short, daily interactive lessons
  • Native speaker audio for every language

3. Ling

Another Duolingo alternative that uses a gaming approach for teaching is Ling . Ling provides highly interactive games like quizzes, puzzles, sentence composition, and even a smart bot you can chat with. While this app mostly targets beginners and intermediate learners, it still has a pretty extensive curriculum.

There’s plenty of conversational practice and you’d use a ton of grammar tips to ensure that you can apply your knowledge in the real world. Although Ling has only about 50 languages, there’s an option for real-life lessons with tutors. However, this is only available on the paid plan. You can get one free lesson on the free trial plan though.

What you get:

  • Interactive games and chatbot conversations
  • Practical grammar tips and real-world vocabulary
  • Live tutor option (paid)

4.  Lingvist

The creators of Lingvist took a different approach unlike the other apps listed in this article. Instead of using a gamified approach, this learning app uses a scientific approach so you can learn languages faster. For starters, you only learn a vocabulary you’d learn in actual conversations of your preferred language. So instead of learning random impractical phrases on Duolingo, you can use this alternative to learn practical grammar.

Since it’s a scientific method of learning, it analyzes your weak points and reorders your curriculum to overcome your learning curve. On the app, you learn via flashcards that pop on your screen. The only downside is that this app has only 9 languages available.

Highlights:

  • Adaptive learning based on your progress
  • Focus on practical, conversational vocabulary
  • Flashcard-based lessons with analytics

5. Language Drops

Language drops also has a gamified and interactive approach, however, it only allows you to take five minutes lessons on the free plan. This app is designed for very busy individuals who’d like to squeeze in lessons during the day. Once you’re logged in, you have flashcards with appealing illustrations for you to match with words. The smooth interface lets you practice memory association exercises for easy recall.

You can play games on this app, listen to audio lessons, and so much more. You have access to about 45+ languages. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the free plan, you cannot become a fluent or native speaker with this app. However, it’s a great option for learning the basics.

Quick facts:

  • Five-minute lessons for daily practice
  • Visual flashcards and memory games
  • 45+ languages supported

6. Busuu

If you’re very keen on transitioning from the basics to an advanced level in a language, the Busuu might just be the best option for you. This Duolingo alternative not only offers a very detailed and well-structured curriculum, but your lessons are also in bite sizes. As you progress, you’d only see lessons and exercises that are ideal for your level. There’s also gratification in the certificates you’ll get when you pass every level.

Why try Busuu:

  • Practice with native speakers
  • Personalized study plans and grammar review
  • Community-driven learning experience

7. Hello Talk Languages Free

If you’d really prefer to do things your own way by talking to people who speak a language you’d want to hear, then Hello Talk is the perfect option for you. Here, you don’t get study materials or other courses to learn. Rather it acts as a social app where you can have conversations with multi-lingual people around the world. Sort of like a virtual pen pal.

While it’s mostly known for its chat feature, there’s a video call feature as well. Here, you can discuss pronunciation, idioms, and other things that are difficult to explain over chat. This helps ensure that you cover speaking, reading, writing, and listening. To get started, you simply have to go through profiles and find mutual interests before asking to connect.

Best features:

  • Direct chat with native speakers
  • Built-in correction and translation tools
  • Voice and video messaging

8. Speak (AI-Powered, New for 2025)

Speak is one of the latest AI-powered language apps making waves in 2025. Using advanced conversational AI, Speak lets you practice real-life dialogues and receive instant, personalized feedback on your pronunciation and grammar. The app adapts to your learning style, simulating real conversations and even role-playing different scenarios.

I’ve found Speak especially useful for building confidence before traveling or attending business meetings in another language. The AI is impressively natural, and the app supports a growing list of languages.

AI advantages:

  • Real-time feedback from conversational AI
  • Adaptive learning paths and scenario-based practice
  • Expanding language support

9. ChatGPT Language Tutor (AI, New for 2025)

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has evolved into a powerful language learning assistant. You can now have full conversations, grammar drills, and vocabulary quizzes with ChatGPT in dozens of languages. It can role-play as a language partner, correct your mistakes, and even explain cultural nuances.

The best part? You can tailor your sessions to your goals—whether you want to practice business French, casual Spanish, or prep for a trip. Many learners now use ChatGPT as a supplement or even a replacement for traditional language apps.

Why use ChatGPT:

  • Unlimited conversation and instant correction
  • Customizable lessons and role-play scenarios
  • Supports dozens of languages

Conclusion

Learning a language is entirely dependent on how fast you pick up new words and nuances. While some may prefer to study through courses, others might just prefer to talk to native speakers. Irrespective of your preferred route, we’ve covered the Duolingo alternatives that provide speaking, listening, writing, and reading exercises for people learning new languages.

Ajibola Winner is a tech writer based in Nigeria with a talent for curating the most useful apps and services from SaaS companies, social media platforms, and web 2.0 businesses. She specializes in recommending the best products across the web from various online retailers and offers valuable how-tos and guides to help users make informed decisions. Ajibola’s keen eye for trends ensures her recommendations are always practical and up to date.

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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.

This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.

This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.

READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”

Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”

The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:

  • SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
  • Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
  • Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
  • Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.

Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.

The key launches included:

  • CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
  • MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
  • MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
  • TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.

Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”

“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”

Laury Bai, TECNO CMO

Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”

James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek

CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography

TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.

Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer

The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”

Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud

The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.

TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability

To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”

Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK

Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.

MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers

The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.

World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14

Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.

TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.

Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm

In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.

The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series

TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.

TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future

Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.

Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.

With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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